Your first 90 days in Mauritius: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
The four-week window for foreign licences is unusually short and is easy to blow past while you are still unpacking. Start the conversion in the first fortnight, and note that the Premium Visa does not accumulate toward residence no matter how many times you renew it.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Activate the Occupation Permit, Residence Permit or Premium Visa with the Economic Development Board and register with the Passport and Immigration Office
The permit is normally approved before arrival; the Premium Visa is a 1-year renewable remote-work authorisation applied for online
The EDB is the single window for the investor, professional, self-employed and retired-non-citizen permits, and it is genuinely efficient by regional standards. The Premium Visa is free and decided quickly, but it is a visa rather than a residence permit and does not build toward permanent residence.
Get your TAN (Tax Account Number) from the Mauritius Revenue Authority
Employment income, business activity and any MRA filing key off it; Mauritius taxes at a flat 15% with a 20% band on higher incomes, on a remittance basis for foreign-source income of many residents.
Registered with the Mauritius Revenue Authority once you hold the permit; the National Pension Fund registration is handled through the employer for salaried roles.
Open a bank account
MCB, SBM and AfrAsia open accounts on the permit, and Mauritius is a well-regulated international financial centre so the process is professional and quick by African standards. The rupee is freely convertible and there are no exchange controls, which makes it genuinely usable as a base for cross-border money.
Enrol in healthcare
Public healthcare is free to residents at government hospitals, and the standard is reasonable for primary and emergency care. Private clinics (Wellkin, Apollo Bramwell, Fortis) handle most expatriate care at modest cost, and complex cases go to South Africa, India or Europe.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign licence is valid for up to four weeks after arrival; residents convert through the National Transport Authority, and licences from many countries exchange on paper with a medical certificate. Driving is on the left.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Mauritius: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Mauritius?
Activate the Occupation Permit, Residence Permit or Premium Visa with the Economic Development Board and register with the Passport and Immigration Office — The permit is normally approved before arrival; the Premium Visa is a 1-year renewable remote-work authorisation applied for online. The EDB is the single window for the investor, professional, self-employed and retired-non-citizen permits, and it is genuinely efficient by regional standards. The Premium Visa is free and decided quickly, but it is a visa rather than a residence permit and does not build toward permanent residence. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the TAN and do I need one?
TAN (Tax Account Number) from the Mauritius Revenue Authority is Mauritius's personal tax/ID number. Employment income, business activity and any MRA filing key off it; Mauritius taxes at a flat 15% with a 20% band on higher incomes, on a remittance basis for foreign-source income of many residents. Registered with the Mauritius Revenue Authority once you hold the permit; the National Pension Fund registration is handled through the employer for salaried roles.
Can I drive in Mauritius on a US license?
A foreign licence is valid for up to four weeks after arrival; residents convert through the National Transport Authority, and licences from many countries exchange on paper with a medical certificate. Driving is on the left. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Mauritius?
Public healthcare is free to residents at government hospitals, and the standard is reasonable for primary and emergency care. Private clinics (Wellkin, Apollo Bramwell, Fortis) handle most expatriate care at modest cost, and complex cases go to South Africa, India or Europe. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Mauritius's system treats foreign residents.